The Belgian Air Force has reported that its F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet, which was deployed in the Baltics, had been scrambled to intercept Russian Su-27 Flanker aircraft.
“Yesterday, Belgian Air Force F-16, currently deployed in the Baltic Region to safeguard the integrity of NATO’s airspace, intercepted Russian Flanker fighter jets flying w/o flight plan. Our mission is to protect your security, It’s our mission to protect your security,” said in a statement.
The announcement did not mention how many Russian aircraft were escorted by Belgian fighters or where it occurred.
The incident followed a reported flight of two Russian Su-24 Fencer bombers over a Belgian Navy ship in the Baltic Sea area last Thursday.
On November 22, Russian Su-24 frontline bombers hovered over two Belgian Navy frigates, performing maneuvers on the dangerously close distance.
The Belgian vessels were involved in NATO maritime drills at the time. Besides, a Russian submarine took up not far from one of the Belgian frigates; the Russian vessel did not take any aggressive actions, but the crew took photos of the Belgian ships.
Yesterday, #F16 @beairforce, currently deployed in the #Baltic Region 🇪🇪🇱🇹🇱🇻 to safeguard the integrity of @NATO airspace, intercepted #Russian Flanker Jets flying w/o flight plan. Our mission @BelgiumDefence is to protect your security pic.twitter.com/JBjFxSLXTc
— Belgian Air Force🇧🇪 (@BeAirForce) 29 November 2018